Environmental Conditions and Seasonal Variables in American Youth Football Leagues

Susan W. Yeargin; Erin Cahoon; Yuri Hosokawa; James M. Mensch; Thomas P. Dompier; Zachary Y. Kerr

doi:10.1177/0009922816684603

Environmental Conditions and Seasonal Variables in American Youth Football Leagues

Susan W. Yeargin^*, Erin Cahoon, Yuri Hosokawa, James M. Mensch, Thomas P. Dompier, Zachary Y. Kerr

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Our study describes youth football (YFB) environmental conditions and the associated heat index (HI) risk category. An observational research design was utilized. Independent variables included month, time, event, and geographic location. Main outcome variables were frequency of events, average HI, and corresponding risk categorization. The HI was recorded with the day and time for each YFB event across 2 YFB seasons. Nearly half (49.8%) of events were in a high HI risk category and 20.0% should have been cancelled. The hottest HI values were recorded in July and August (83.2 ± 9.4°F to 87.2 ± 10.9°F; 24.0% of YFB events). The 7 to 10 am time frame was cooler (67.7 ± 14.5°F; 6.3% of YFB events) than other time frames (P <.001). Hotter HI values were recorded in practices versus games (75.9 ± 14.1°F vs 70.6 ± 14.6°F; t = '6.426, P <.001). Starting the YFB season in September and holding weekend events in the early morning hours can decrease exposure to environmental heat stress.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1209-1218
Number of pages	10
Journal	Clinical Pediatrics
Volume	56
Issue number	13
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/0009922816684603
Publication status	Published - 2017 Nov 1
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

American Football
heat index
pediatric athlete
preseason
risk category

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

Access to Document

10.1177/0009922816684603

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title = "Environmental Conditions and Seasonal Variables in American Youth Football Leagues",

abstract = "Our study describes youth football (YFB) environmental conditions and the associated heat index (HI) risk category. An observational research design was utilized. Independent variables included month, time, event, and geographic location. Main outcome variables were frequency of events, average HI, and corresponding risk categorization. The HI was recorded with the day and time for each YFB event across 2 YFB seasons. Nearly half (49.8%) of events were in a high HI risk category and 20.0% should have been cancelled. The hottest HI values were recorded in July and August (83.2 ± 9.4°F to 87.2 ± 10.9°F; 24.0% of YFB events). The 7 to 10 am time frame was cooler (67.7 ± 14.5°F; 6.3% of YFB events) than other time frames (P <.001). Hotter HI values were recorded in practices versus games (75.9 ± 14.1°F vs 70.6 ± 14.6°F; t = '6.426, P <.001). Starting the YFB season in September and holding weekend events in the early morning hours can decrease exposure to environmental heat stress.",

keywords = "American Football, heat index, pediatric athlete, preseason, risk category",

author = "Yeargin, {Susan W.} and Erin Cahoon and Yuri Hosokawa and Mensch, {James M.} and Dompier, {Thomas P.} and Kerr, {Zachary Y.}",

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AU - Dompier, Thomas P.

AU - Kerr, Zachary Y.

PY - 2017/11/1

Y1 - 2017/11/1

N2 - Our study describes youth football (YFB) environmental conditions and the associated heat index (HI) risk category. An observational research design was utilized. Independent variables included month, time, event, and geographic location. Main outcome variables were frequency of events, average HI, and corresponding risk categorization. The HI was recorded with the day and time for each YFB event across 2 YFB seasons. Nearly half (49.8%) of events were in a high HI risk category and 20.0% should have been cancelled. The hottest HI values were recorded in July and August (83.2 ± 9.4°F to 87.2 ± 10.9°F; 24.0% of YFB events). The 7 to 10 am time frame was cooler (67.7 ± 14.5°F; 6.3% of YFB events) than other time frames (P <.001). Hotter HI values were recorded in practices versus games (75.9 ± 14.1°F vs 70.6 ± 14.6°F; t = '6.426, P <.001). Starting the YFB season in September and holding weekend events in the early morning hours can decrease exposure to environmental heat stress.

AB - Our study describes youth football (YFB) environmental conditions and the associated heat index (HI) risk category. An observational research design was utilized. Independent variables included month, time, event, and geographic location. Main outcome variables were frequency of events, average HI, and corresponding risk categorization. The HI was recorded with the day and time for each YFB event across 2 YFB seasons. Nearly half (49.8%) of events were in a high HI risk category and 20.0% should have been cancelled. The hottest HI values were recorded in July and August (83.2 ± 9.4°F to 87.2 ± 10.9°F; 24.0% of YFB events). The 7 to 10 am time frame was cooler (67.7 ± 14.5°F; 6.3% of YFB events) than other time frames (P <.001). Hotter HI values were recorded in practices versus games (75.9 ± 14.1°F vs 70.6 ± 14.6°F; t = '6.426, P <.001). Starting the YFB season in September and holding weekend events in the early morning hours can decrease exposure to environmental heat stress.

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KW - risk category

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Environmental Conditions and Seasonal Variables in American Youth Football Leagues

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Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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